The economy of Sambalpur is basically dependent on trade. Majority of the residents are either salaried or self-employed. Forest products play an important role in the economy in terms of contribution to revenue and domestic product. Kendu leaf or Coromandel Ebony or East Indian Ebony (Diospyros melanoxylon) also forms part of the economy of Sambalpur with many bidimanufacturing units functioning in Sambalpur. Gole Bazaar is the main merchandising area of the city. It is famous for handloom and other textile products. Other merchandising areas are Khetrajpur, Fatak, V.S.S. marg and Budharaja.
Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India Limited located at Sambalpur produced 100.28 Million Tonnes coal and had a Profit Before Tax during the year 2010-2011 at Rs 4039.30 crore. The Hirakud smelter, set up by Indal in 1959 at Hirakud, was the country’s second aluminium smelter operating on grid power sourced from the hydro power station of the Hirakud Dam. It was the first in India to adopt clean coal combustion technology that uses a circulating fluidised bed, which is considered environmentally friendly. Currently the smelter has a capacity of 213,000 tpa, it provides employment to around 1700 persons
